Q&A with Merlin Klotz, Republican candidate for Douglas County clerk and recorder

Posted
Thursday, June 7, 2018 1:37 pm

Klotz

City or town of residence: Parker, since 2007

Profession: I passed the CPA exam in 1977 and spent my career in more than a dozen startup and rapid-growth situations ranging from construction to oil and gas production. I retired from the Denver Post, where I had been controller for the production plants, in 2008.

Related elected-office or public-service experience: I was part of the initial effort to form Centennial in the 1980s and have been active in Parker Water and Sanitation District since 2008, becoming a board member in 2012. I was elected to serve as Douglas County clerk and recorder in 2014.

Why are you seeking this office?

I'm seeking re-election to continue the culture of customer service, innovation, technology and internal controls we have built during my first term.

What makes you the most qualified person for the position?

When I took office in 2015 Douglas population was 308,000. Today it is 346,000 and by the end of my second term at this growth rate it will be 420,000, a 32 percent growth. My experience in finding efficiencies and adjusting operations commensurate with growth, as I did during my first term, becomes even more important the next four years as the easy solutions have already been accomplished. The underlying challenge is that all base technology is controlled by the Department of Revenue, Secretary of State of U.S. State Department, so relationships and legislation are often required to effect change.

What would your top two priorities be if elected?

My first objective is to address issues of space constraints and parking that today impact the clerk office's ability to serve customers promptly. This will require a joint effort of facilities, the commissioners and the clerk. My second objective is to improve service to seniors and our handicapped population. Access to the Wilcox building is marginally ADA compliant. And, legislation may be required to allow mobile ID services in the Driver License division.

What else should the voters know about you?

My MO has always been conceptualizing, planning and executing large and difficult projects. This requires an understanding of finance, budgets, business plans, law, construction, etc. But more than that it requires relationships and the willingness, fortitude and perseverance to change law, or take legal action to achieve the end.

Track and field is a popular and successful sport at Lutheran High school. The Lions won both the girls and boys Class 3A state titles at the CHSAA State Track Championships which were held May 16-18 …